11,000-carat ruby unearthed in Myanmar’s gemstone heartland

Myanmar’s gemstone heartland unearths 11,000-carat ruby

Mohan Sinha
17 May 2026, 12:36 GMT+10

Miners in Myanmar have found a very large and rare ruby weighing about 11,000 carats. It is believed to be the second-largest ruby ever found in the country, according to state media.
Although it is about half the size of a bigger ruby found in 1996, experts say this new one may be more valuable because of its better color and quality.
Gem mining also helps fund ethnic armed groups fighting the government, which has added to long-running conflicts.

BANGKOK, Thailand: Miners in Myanmar have found a very large and rare ruby. It is believed to be the second-largest ruby ever found in the country, according to state media on May 15.

The ruby weighs about 11,000 carats (around 2.2 kilograms) and was discovered near Mogok in the Mandalay region, which is famous for gem mining. This area has also seen heavy fighting during the country's ongoing civil war. The stone was found in mid-April, shortly after the New Year festival.

Although it is about half the size of a larger ruby found in 1996, experts say this new one may be more valuable because of its better color and quality. It has a purplish-red color with slight yellow tones, good clarity, and a shiny surface.

Myanmar produces up to 90 percent of the world's rubies, mainly from Mogok and Mong Hsu. The gem trade is a major source of income, both legally and through smuggling. However, human rights groups have asked jewelers not to buy Myanmar gems because the money has supported military governments for many years.

A new civilian-style government was formed this year after elections widely criticized as unfair. The vote kept President Min Aung Hlaing, who led the 2021 military takeover, in power. He and his team recently inspected the ruby in the capital, Naypyitaw.

Gem mining also helps fund ethnic armed groups fighting the government, which has added to long-running conflicts. The mining areas remain unstable. Mogok was taken over in July 2024 by the Ta'ang National Liberation Army (TNLA), but control later returned to the army after a ceasefire agreement helped by China.

Watch latest videos

News RELEASES

Publish news of your business, community or sports group, personnel appointments, major event and more by submitting a news release to Afghanistan Sun.

More Information

International

Section

North America’s largest commuter rail system shuts as unions strike

NEW YORK CITY, New York: Unionized workers went on strike for the first time in three decades, bringing the Long Island Rail Road,...

Myanmar’s gemstone heartland unearths 11,000-carat ruby

BANGKOK, Thailand: Miners in Myanmar have found a very large and rare ruby. It is believed to be the second-largest ruby ever found...

Kalshi and Polymarket flag rise in questionable bets

NEW YORK CITY, New York: Kalshi and Polymarket are reporting a sharp increase in suspicious trading as prediction markets attract more...

Dublin’s garda faces charges over ammunition, corruption, gets bail

DUBLIN, Ireland: A detective garda accused of helping an organized crime gang, taking bribes, and possessing over 100 rounds of ammunition...

Trump says China wants Hormuz open; he is losing patience with Iran

ABOARD AIR FORCE ONE/DUBAI: U.S. President Donald Trump said he was losing patience with Iran and claimed that China's President Xi...

Asking jailed banker for funds not wrong, says Flávio Bolsonaro

SAO PAULO, Brazil: Senator Flávio Bolsonaro denied any wrongdoing in his reported request for millions from jailed banker Daniel Vorcaro,...

Central Asia

Section

Myanmar’s gemstone heartland unearths 11,000-carat ruby

Watch latest videos

News RELEASES

International

North America’s largest commuter rail system shuts as unions strike

Myanmar’s gemstone heartland unearths 11,000-carat ruby

Kalshi and Polymarket flag rise in questionable bets

Dublin’s garda faces charges over ammunition, corruption, gets bail

Trump says China wants Hormuz open; he is losing patience with Iran

Asking jailed banker for funds not wrong, says Flávio Bolsonaro

Central Asia

KAZAKHSTAN-ASTANA-LIGHT RAIL SYSTEM-OPERATION

The EUs sanctions fever: From Russia to China, a crisis expands

Iran suspected in cyber breach of US gas station tank monitoring systems: Reports

BCA President Harsh Vardhan congratulates Vaibhav Sooryavanshi on India A selection for Sri Lanka tri-series

EAM holds talks with foreign leaders on BRICS FMM sidelines

United Arab Emirates, Republic of Kazakhstan hold Fourth Session of Joint Consular Committee

Movie Review

Network (4K UHD) [Blu-Ray]